The U.S. EPA published a proposed rule that aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants by 30 percent in 2030. The proposal specifically recognizes that biomass fuels can play an important role in reaching that goal.READ MORESHARE

A unit Drax Group that is currently constructing a 450,000-ton wood pellet production facility near Gloster, Miss., is planning to build an additional facility roughly 40 miles away in Magnolia, Miss., according to documents filed with the state. READ MORESHARE

Florida-based Garb Oil & Power Corp. has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire process equipment for pellet production and a 40,000 square foot warehouse. The agreement is expected to close later this year. READ MORESHARE

Wood pellet exports from the United States nearly doubled last year, from 1.6 million short tons (approximately 22 trillion Btu) in 2012 to 3.2 million short tons in 2013. More than 98 percent of these exports were delivered to Europe. READ MORESHARE

The U.K. Green Investment Bank recently announced funding for a pipeline of energy efficiency projects at a number of Scottish distilleries, including the installation of biomass boiler systems. READ MORESHARE

The U.S. is likely to follow the E.U.'s lead in increasing use of renewables for power generation to lower carbon footprint. Sustainably managed wood pellets are solution to reliable baseload generation. READ MORESHARE

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, renewed his push to promote the economic and environmental benefits of biomass thermal energy on May 15 by filing the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013 as an amendment to legislation pending before the Senate.READ MORESHARE

The USDA has announced support for agriculture producers and energy facilities working to turn renewable biomass materials into clean energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.READ MORESHARE

Tackling emissions at pellet plants was the topic of the latest offering in Biomass Magazine's webinar series. Dryers produce the most emissions, but producers must consider VOC development from hammermills and post-dryer operations as well. READ MORESHARE

RusForest AB, a Swedish forestry company with operations in Russia, recently announced the results of its 2013 annual report. The company began operations of a 100,000 ton-per-year pellet mill in Arkhangelsk, Russia, earlier this year.READ MORESHARE

The House Appropriations Committee has released its fiscal year 2015 agricultural appropriations bill, which aims to reduce funding levels for several Farm Bill Energy Title programs. A subcommittee markup session on the legislation was held May 20.READ MORESHARE

Sweden and Minnesota are moving full speed ahead on a partnership that is serving to address complex and challenging issues concerning sustainable energy and transportation. A May 19 seminar brought stakeholders together to discuss the initiative. READ MORESHARE